PRE-RELEASE BLITZ - Home Again by WS Long

PRE-RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Home Again

Author: W.S. Long

Publisher: JMS Books, LLC

Cover Artist: Written - Ink

Release Date: 4.11.2020

Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance

Themes: Coming out, forgiveness, second chances

Heat Rating: 2 flames

Length: almost 30k words/ 97 pages 

It is a standalone story.

Add on Goodreads

Pre-Order Links

JMS Books | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Can resurfaced high school memories lead to forgiveness and a second chance at love?

Blurb

David Peterson had his whole life charted out for him by his parents. An athletic scholarship to a prestigious college in California and a future in major league baseball were almost certain. But his high school love affair with quarterback Kaden Morris almost changed his predetermined path. When Kaden eventually rejected him, David swore he would never return to Orlando.

Fifteen years later and divorced with a child, David returns home to find a newly divorced Kaden seeking forgiveness. Old feelings resurface, but can the pain of the past be forgotten and a new future together forged?

Review

My Rating - 5 Stars!

WS Long's Home Again had my heart melting throughout. It's a short, quick, and sweet second chance romance.

Former high school boyfriends David and Kaden have plenty of animosity and unresolved feelings between them when they meet again. Their second chance is wonderfully done, full of many tender moments throughout.

David's a former pro baseball player, who's back home after divorcing his cheating wife. And then there's Quinn, David's young son. Quinn is well written and his issues will totally pull at your heartstrings. He absolutely kills me. 

David and Kaden are two men who definitely belong together, and when they finally get there, it's beautiful.

Home Again's a story of timing and life's bigger plans. It's perfect when you're in the mood for a heart-felt second chance romance. I will definitely be re-reading this WS Long gem often. At just under 100 pages, it's a perfect short read. 

Excerpt

Kaden changed his shirt again. He sighed and threw the third shirt on the bed. Once he had found out that David Peterson had moved back to Orlando and was living in the same neighborhood that they lived in as kids, he obsessed about running into him. When Sarah texted him and told him she would be at David’s house later and would text him if it was okay to stop by, he’d been nervous all day.

The last time he spoke to David was right before graduation, and he was a dick to David. David hadn’t deserved that.

Thinking about David now depressed him. Maybe David’s father was right, in keeping them apart.

He sighed, sat in the living room, and turned on the TV. He flipped through the channels and couldn’t make up his mind. He continued this way to channel surf and finally wound up watching baseball.

David and baseball, Kaden and football.

Life was so simpler back then. He should’ve never let David out of his life. He hoped Sarah was right and David could forgive him.

* * * *

David opened the last box as Sarah and Quinn sat in the newly delivered leather sofa and watched a movie on Quinn’s iPad. He checked the air conditioning unit one more time. It didn’t seem to blow a lot of cold air. They were a few days away from heading into the Memorial Day Weekend, and it seemed that Florida was more humid than he remembered.

“Does it feel like we are getting cold air?”

“I had them check the air conditioning unit before you guys flew.” Sarah glanced up from the couch to talk to David. “They said everything checked out. Actually, now that I think about it, it was like a day before you go here the A/C guys were here.

“Papa, when are we getting wi-fi? I want to watch a Disney Junior show, and my Star Wars cartoons.”

“They’ll be here to install cable and wi-fi in two days.”

“Should I order pizza or Chinese?” Sarah asked.

“I’m still full of Beefy King,” David said. David closed the box containing Quinn’s Star Wars toys. Five of the seven boxes he shipped to Sarah were Quinn’s stuff. The other two contained David’s baseball memorabilia.

He hoped the movers would arrive on time because they only had a limited amount of clothes.

“Oh, come on, the owners of the old restaurant we loved in ViMi have a new place now, and it’s so good. You can have leftovers from whatever we don’t eat! What about you Quinn, are you hungry?”

“Yes.”

“He’s always hungry. He’ll eat a little but ask me to finish the rest. This is why I have a middle-aged spread.”

Sarah laughed. “You’re not middle-aged, and you don’t have a gut.”

David pinched his soft love handles. “Remind me to have your eyes checked. I really need to go back to yoga.”

“No, yoga! No!” Quinn shouted.

Sarah glanced back at David who stood near the kitchen. He shook his head and signaled to Sarah to drop it. Sarah shrugged.

“Daddy had a friend over when Papa went to yoga.”

David’s face flushed from embarrassment. He hadn’t expected Quinn, who’d been reluctant to tell David that he caught Jason kissing another man, to suddenly turn in to someone who wanted to tell everything. Even if that someone was Sarah.

“Oh,” Sarah said. “You could go with Papa and me to yoga.”

“But if Papa goes to yoga, then Daddy will have a new friend visit.”

David didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at this. His son equated Jason’s cheating with his other father going to yoga.

David moved into the living room and sat next to Quinn.

Sarah stood up. “I’m going to order some Chinese food. I’ll be right back.”

“Quinn, son,” David paused. “Your father ... your daddy and I will never be getting back together. You remember we talked about this at the pool, right? We cannot live together anymore. I hope one day you will understand. But it is something your Daddy has agreed to, I agreed to, and hopefully you will one day be okay with it.”

Quinn straightened himself on the couch, then threw the iPad in his hand on the seat cushion next to him. Without saying anything, Quinn got up and ran upstairs.

Sarah ended her phone call. “What happened?”

“I think he’s upset. I thought he was okay yesterday when we were at the pool.”

The doorbell rang, and David stood up to answer the door. “Wow, that was quick for Chinese. Did you order it before you got here or something?” When David opened the door, Kaden stood behind the screen door, holding a basket of edible fruit, some dipped in chocolate, sealed in cellophane.

Kaden appeared the same as he did in high school except his blond hair was a little darker, and his muscular chest stood out more. It was like he was still working at the mall at Abercrombie and Fitch.

David stood, almost shell-shocked.

“Hey,” Kaden said.

“Hey, yourself,” David said.

“Sarah said you just moved in. I moved back about a month ago.”

“Hi, Kaden!” Sarah had moved in so close she practically was shouting in David’s ear.

“I brought you a welcome gift.”

“Thanks,” David said matter-of-factly as he opened the screen door and accepted the arrangement. He debated a millisecond on what to do. “I’m sorry, Kaden, this is a really bad time. My kid, my son, is not happy about being here and I have to check up on him.”

Before Kaden responded, David retreated into the house leaving Sarah behind with Kaden, who stood open-mouthed.

About the Author 

Immigrant, military-brat, gay veteran, and former theme park employee, among other things, W.S. Long upon leaving the military became a lawyer. During the day, he practices law but at night he reads and writes male-male romance under this pen name. Once in a while W.S. Long travels or dreams about traveling to wonderful places with his wonderful husband, a mild-mannered college professor.

Social Media Links

Blog/Website | Facebook | Tumblr | Twitter | Instagram @wspencerlong 

Hosted by Gay Book Promotions

Follow the tour and check out the other blog posts and reviews here

In Over Our Heads (Stories from the Shore #2) by CJane Elliott

Title: In Over Our Heads

Series: Stories from the Shore 2

Author: CJane Elliott

Publisher: CJane Elliott

Release Date: 3/1/20 re-release

Heat Level: 3 - Some Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 66,364

Genre: Romance, second chance romance, vacation, contemporary, opposites attract

Add to Goodreads

Synopsis

A second chance for romance on a scuba diving vacation plunges Anthony and Walter into deep waters—will they use love’s lifeline or go under alone?

Party guy Anthony Vallen believes in happy endings—just not for himself. He hits Key West for a vacation with friends, ready for some fun in the sun. To his horror, the owner of the local scuba dive shop is Walter Elkins—former scientist, meticulous control freak, and the guy who broke Anthony’s teenaged heart. Anthony throws up his shields with jokes and banter, but Walter draws him in by admiring him and listening to him like no one else has. Despite their painful past, Anthony’s defenses soften and his reasons for shunning romance no longer hold much water. But whether Walter will come on board remains to be seen. Walter has never gotten over brilliant, fun-loving Anthony, but he’s compelled to keep Anthony safe—not just from the ocean depths but from himself.

Soon Anthony and Walter are in over their heads, their love as unstoppable as the hurricane they find themselves in the middle of. To prevent their fears from pulling them under, Anthony needs to get serious—about his worth and his heart’s true desires, and Walter needs to trust—in himself, in fate, and in Anthony.

2nd in Series but can be read as a stand-alone.

Second Edition, revised and expanded.

Review 

My Rating - 3.5 Stars!

CJ Elliott's In Over Our Heads is a decent second chance romance. The second book in the Stories from the Shore series, it's easily read as a standalone.

Anthony's vacation leads to finding the man of his dreams in this sweet tale. 
Walter and Anthony were high school boyfriends until Walter left without a word. Now, finding one another in Key West, they have the chance to talk again. 

Anthony's an interesting character. He both avoids and longs for love. The author does a great job delving into Anthony's inner layers. And then there's Walter, who is definitely hiding out from his feelings. He's a man who's stuck in his past, unable to forgive himself and stop worrying. 

I enjoy the author's writing and her characters. The pace is good and the story line is interesting. As well, there's a fun group of friends rounding out the tale.

This is a story that I appreciate at times, while so things feel a little forced. Although I like Walter, I found his fears over the top at times. In the end though, I appreciate their struggle to figure things out. If things were easily handled, it wouldn't have seemed realistic. 

In Over Our Heads is a sweet second chance romance. This CJ Elliott tale is ultimately a story of making sacrifices for the one you love and is a worthwhile read.

Excerpt

Miles led us onto the boat and murmured to me as we were getting settled, “You guys are getting the special treatment. Walter doesn’t usually run the cruise excursions anymore. I’m kind of surprised he’s doing it.”

“Miles.” Walter frowned at him, jerking his head in a come here gesture.

“Oops. Duty calls.” Miles gave me a wink and went to help Walter with the jibs or sails or lines or whatever.

I tried to relax and get into vacation mode. What had I told Jonathan mere hours before? I wasn’t going to give Walter Elkins one more thought! It was hard to keep that vow, though, with Walter right there, his hunky body on display, muscles bunching and lengthening as he knelt and reached and got things ready with his usual fierce concentration. Though I knew fuck all about sailing, I was willing to bet that Walter’s preparations were being done rigorously, completely, and perfectly. Even Miles had grown serious and attentive, responding to his terse directions as though it was a military operation.

Meanwhile I became aware of something happening in my body. It was the oddest thing. I’m usually a bundle of nerves and on the manic end of the energy scale. But as I watched Walter, my muscles began to loosen, like they were letting down their guard. A memory darted in of Walter, at the end of high school chemistry class, restoring everything to order in his methodical way, me chattering nonstop as I watched him, and all being right with the world. It had felt safe being around Walter. He’d taken care of everything, slowly and patiently. I could be my fluttery self—a butterfly flitting all over—because I knew he would be there when I needed to land.

Suddenly Walter lifted his eyes and gazed right at me. To my horror, I found myself smiling fondly at him, still in the glow of that long-ago time. I was probably making stupid goo-goo eyes too. He went red and dropped something on the deck with a clang.

“Walter! Watch what you’re doing,” scolded Miles with a mock scowl. He laughed, no doubt pleased that the perfect Walter had been shown to be human.

“Sorry,” Walter muttered, reapplying himself to his task.

I sat still, shaken by how easily I’d slipped into rosy Walter memories. What on earth was wrong with me? Safe? Walter was the guy who’d left me not once but twice, and so callously that I’d been protecting myself from love ever since. Screw him!

I tore my gaze away and caught Sophia watching me with a small smile. She leaned forward and whispered, “Anytime you want to tell me what that’s all about, feel free.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, doll.”

“Okay. If that’s how you want to play it.” She leaned back and lifted her face to the sun. “Ah. It’s so awesome to be back in the sunshine.”

Marco lounged in his seat, looking fucking stupendous, his arm around Jonathan, who rested his head on Marco’s shoulder. I must have been rattled by Walter’s reappearance, because my walls suddenly cracked. Pain lanced through me, and I stopped kidding myself that I wasn’t pea green with envy. I so was.

I froze for a moment, stunned at myself. Could this be true? Could Anthony the Player be merely the facade, while underneath I wanted what Jonny had? Not that I wanted Marco for myself, but was I pining for a man to hold me like that and let me rest my head on his shoulder? All signs pointed to yes. How embarrassing! And how completely unlikely.

Purchase at Amazon

Meet the Author

 

After years of hearing characters chatting away in her head, award-winning author CJane Elliott finally decided to put them on paper and hasn’t looked back since. A psychotherapist by training, CJane writes sexy, passionate LGBTQ romances that explore the human psyche. CJane has traveled all over North America for work and her characters are travelers, too, traveling down into their own depths to find what they need to get to the happy ending.


CJane is bisexual and an ardent supporter of LGBTQ equality. In her spare time, CJane can be found dancing, listening to music, or watching old movies. Her family supports her writing habit by staying out of the way when they see her hunched over, staring intensely at her laptop.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | eMail | Instagram | Bookbub

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Spark, North Star Trilogy Book 1, by Posy Roberts

The North Star Trilogy by Posy Roberts is one of my all-time favorite series.

I recently reviewed the revised and released Book 1, Spark.

Amazon Link

BLURB

A love story with a seventeen-year intermission.

Hugo Thorson fell in love when he was sixteen. He’s maybe been in love since, but probably not. He’s been too busy directing plays to devote much time to men who can’t accept all of him. No one ever made him feel like his first love did.

Kevin Magnus married a woman and has two children, but the marriage wasn’t happy. In the shadow of divorce, he’s striving to be a better father, but he’s still a work in progress.

When Hugo and Kevin bump into each other at the lake, memories of their last kiss incite a new first kiss. Visions of the life they always wanted are vivid, but so much stands in the way of their dreams. Hugo is out and proud but no one knows Kevin’s bisexual. If Kevin comes out, he risks losing custody of his kids. If he doesn’t walk hand in hand with Hugo, he risks losing the love of his life.

The curtain may never rise on their second act.

REVIEW - 5 Stars!

The North Star Trilogy by Posy Roberts is one of the first male/male series that I read and it remains dear to my heart to this day. I am super excited that the series has been re-edited and re-released.

In Spark, the start of this trilogy, we meet Hugo and Kevin and learn the history of their relationship through expertly crafted flashbacks.

As teenagers, Hugo and Kevin sneak around and fall in love. Unfortunately, their relationship remains closeted because Kevin’s controlling father doesn’t even want Kevin to be friends with Hugo.

During their high school years, Kevin dates girls to try and hide his feelings about Hugo and despite promising to keep in touch when they leave for college, their plans never come to fruition.

The deceptive nature of their relationship is a tough read. I adore the couple as they have their fun and romantic times, but it’s heartbreaking to witness Hugo have to see Kevin with girls.

Fast forward seventeen years, Hugo reunites with Kevin by mistake when Hugo agrees to accompany his best friend, Summer, on a trip.

Throughout the book, they learn about each other’s lives. Kevin is now a father of two, and having drifted apart from his wife, is in the process of a divorce after his father’s death affords him the courage to start proceedings.

Hugo travels often directing plays and is weary of developing a real relationship. He has been cheated on in the past and is reluctant to trust anyone again.

The chemistry is still there as they rekindle the flame. I promise you will feel every single romantic moment with them and will be riveted by every sexual interaction.

I absolutely adore Hugo and Kevin, from the beginning to the end. I love how they connect as teens and struggle with their sexuality. They are both just trying to be with the one they love.

To get a glimpse of their strong feelings for each other, this is a  note that Kevin sends to Hugo in high school, accompanying a little bouquet of candy canes:

Red because you woke me up and make me feel alive.
Orange because your words heal what my father breaks.
Yellow because your smile is like sunshine.
Green because of where I first kissed you. It was because you were so beautiful surrounded by the forest.
Blue because I feel serenity when I’m with you.
Violet because we’re connected. I feel you in me all the time.
Rainbow because you showed me my truth even though it has to remain a secret.

Posy Roberts writing style is riveting and charming and leaves you feeling every single emotion these men experience as if you’re right there with them. Her descriptions of the environment are realistic and generous. The lake ends up being a wonderful secondary character that adds life to the setting, as well as being an integral part of the story.

Spark is an absolute page-turner. Set aside some time to read this because it will suck you in and you won’t be able to put it down. Posy Roberts will take you on a spectacular journey of love and discovery.

To see how this release differs from the original 2013 version, check out this post on Posy Roberts blog. It is extremely informative and hits on the true nature of her edits. I have long suggested this series to others, noticing that it seemed to live in the shadows. I am thrilled for Posy’s re-release and I hope that this series now gets the attention it so deserves!